Queensland Blue Couch Seed Blend

Detailed Description

Often referred to as Queensland Blue Couch, this grass is neither from Queensland nor a true Couch. It gained popularity due to its optimal performance in warm climates. This species differs from traditional Couch grass, affecting the choice of herbicides or pesticides.

Qualities

• Grows best in full sun, requiring more than 6 hours per day
• Beautiful blue/green colour
• Premium appearance and soft to touch
• Recovers well from damage
• Recovers well from heat stress with light watering
• Has good salt tolerance
• Can be mowed very low for bowls or croquet

Optimal pH

Queensland Blue Couch grows well on a wide range of neutral to acidic soils; it is tolerant of very acidic soils with pH 5.5 and lower.

Sowing Tips

Sow into soft topsoil or sandy loam. Broadcast the seed at, or very near, the soil surface and incorporate lightly with raking. To ensure best coverage and avoid seed wastage, we recommend using an appropriate seed spreader for the size of your area. Soil must remain damp throughout the germination period and must be maintained for at least 1-2 weeks after sowing through irrigation or natural rainfall.

Optimal Planting Time

Late September to late February.

Germination Expectations

7-10 days (Annual Rye), 14-21 days (Queensland Blue), condition and climate dependent. Queensland Blue Couch is one of the quicker germinating Couch varieties.

Water

The Queensland Blue Couch Blend requires more watering than pure Queensland Blue Couch Seed due to the large component of Annual Ryegrass. The Annual Ryegrass will die off after approximately 12 months, after which watering requirements will match pure Queensland Blue Couch. It is tolerant of temporary waterlogging but has a low tolerance for salinity.

Fertilising

A low maintenance lawn, Queensland Blue Couch thrives in poor quality soil and copes well with lower levels of fertiliser and insecticide/fungicide than other Couch varieties. For optimal performance and color maintenance, fertilising several times annually is recommended.

First Mowing

Approximately 4 weeks after germination.

Mowing Frequency

In Summer mow weekly; in Winter mow every 2^nd or 3^rd week. Mows beautifully with a cylinder mower or rotary. It can be mowed very low for bowls or croquet (35mm). Once mowed, it never leaves an unsightly appearance of cut and exposed stolons (runners) like other lawns may do. It is less aggressive than real couches, and doesn’t thatch up nearly as quickly as Couch grass. It produces minimal seed heads compared to standard couch varieties meaning this is an easier-to-mow lawn.

Mowing Tips

• Only remove 1/3 of the leaf area at any one time.
• The lower you mow it, the more often you need to mow.
• In shady areas increase the mowing height of the grass.
• Mowing is the best form of weed control.

Disadvantages of Queensland Blue Couch Blend

• Not as traffic tolerant as other couch varieties but recovers quickly if damaged.
• Among the least shade tolerant warm-season turfgrass species.
• Requires more water than pure Queensland Blue Couch Seed.
• Takes longer to establish a pure Queensland Blue Couch lawn than using pure Queensland Blue Couch.

Seed & Package Details

70% Annual Ryegrass, 20% Queensland Blue Couch, 10% McKay’s Slow Release Fertiliser (by weight).

Independently Tested

85% Min Germination, 98% purity. A seed testing certificate is available upon request.

Ideal Usage

Lawns, commercial landscapes, parks & playgrounds.

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Have any questions? Feel free to contact us and we’ll help you out.